It’s become an unofficial annual competition to see what crazy concoctions the vendors will create: fried Coca-Cola, fried jelly beans, fried strawberry waffle balls, fried moon pies and fried guacamole are just a few of the fried foods on offer this year. And while I love fried foods as much as anyone, I have to admit that despite the fair’s bounty, I still prefer the original State Fair fried food—Fletcher’s Corny Dogs—most of all.

Carl and Neil Fletcher started selling their corny dogs—deep-fried hot dogs dipped in corn-bread batter—at the Fair in 1942. It has not been proven if they are the inventor of this treat, but I do believe they were the first to call it a corny dog as opposed to a corn dog, as it’s more commonly known. What makes a Fletcher dog so special is its crunch; theirs are the best corny dogs you’ll ever eat. Corny dogs are not completely unknown here in New York—most grocery store frozen food sections sell boxes of vegetarian corny dogs. But that’s not quite the same. Likewise, with the ubiquity of hot dog purveyors around town, you’d think that some would sell corny dogs, but nope, you seldom see them.

And that’s a shame. New Yorkers are often eating on the move, and corny dogs are the ultimate in portability. Self contained and resting on a stick, it’s easy to eat one either standing or walking. And it’s not that messy either, unless, of course, you over-lace it with mustard or ketchup. Corny dogs make excellent snacks, or you can eat a few and call it a meal. And they’re great for families because it’s hard to find anyone young or old who doesn’t smile when presented with a corny dog.

I decided it couldn’t be that difficult to make corny dogs at home and I was correct. I just stuck some hot dogs on sticks, dipped them into my favorite cornbread batter and fried them in peanut oil for a few minutes until they were crisp and brown.

I admit they weren’t as good as Fletcher’s; after all they have over 65 years of corny-dog frying experience on my one afternoon. My corny dogs wouldn’t win any beauty contests either. But boy oh boy, did they taste like a bright afternoon playing state-sanctioned hooky from school (something known as “Fair Day”), while taking a spin on the Texas Star and listening to Big Tex bellow his greetings and salutations.

And that’s the best thing about corny dogs; no matter how old you are they always make you feel like you’re a kid again.

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Corny dogs

Servings6

AuthorLisa Fain

Ingredients

2cupsyellow cornmeal

1/2cupall-purpose flour plus more for dredging

1tablespoonbaking powder

1teaspoonkosher salt

1large egg

2cupsbuttermilk

2tablespoonssafflower oil plus more for frying

14hot dogs

Thin sticks with pointy ends

Mustard, for serving

Instructions

Whisk together the cornmeal, the flour, baking powder, and salt. Beat together the egg with the buttermilk the pour it along with the oil into the dry ingredients. Stir until smooth then pour the batter into a tall glass or quart-sized jar.

Pour 4 inches of oil into a skillet and heat on medium high to 325°F, about 10 minutes. If you don’t have a thermometer, you can test the temperature by sticking a wooden spoon into the oil. If it bubbles around the spoon, it should be ready for frying.

Gently poke the sticks into the hot dogs about halfway, leaving enough sticking out to be a suitable handle. Line a sheet pan with paper towels. Sprinkle flour onto a plate and roll each hot dog in the flour until it’s coated.

Dip the hot dog into the batter and then add to the oil. While turning the corny dogs with tongs a couple of times, cook until golden brown on all sides, about 2-3 minutes. Drain on the paper towels.

While frying, keep an eye on the oil. If it gets too hot, either turn down the heat or add more oil to the skillet. If the oil rises above 375°F, the batter will cook to fast and may burn on the outside while remaining raw on the inside. will be raw in the middle.

Serve warm with mustard.

Recipe Notes

For the sticks, some people use chopsticks. I used sticks designated for candy apples.

while living in venezuela I too was a homesick texan. corn dogs always remind me of the local county fair and fall. I made my own recipe and it became quite a treat for us while out of the country. I am still out of the country but in china now. I haven’t found a good hotdog here yet, but give me time.

My Dad just told me about your blog and I can’t wait to read the whole thing!!!Lived in Texas for 36 years until 6 years ago, come from a long line of Texans, and am crazy homesick.Thanks for givin’ us all a little bit of home right at our fingertips…

Your blog makes my heart ache for Texas. My birthday always falls on Texas-OU weekend, so growing up we’d head to the State Fair around that time. It wasn’t a trip to the State Fair without a corny dog and a funnel cake. And Big Tex! No other fair can compare.

At the Minnesota State Fair, the best corny dogs are Pronto Pups, but they’re not made with cornmeal. Rather, hotdogs are dipped in a flour-based batter. Slathered with catsup and neon-yellow ballpark-style mustard, Pronto Pups are capital-h heaven.

Every year around fair time, my husband, who spent his formative years in Big D, and I argue fiercely about who has the biggest and best State Fair.

Aww. I just watched the TX vs. OU game on tv last weekend, and became a little homesick myself when they showed Fletcher’s. And I just popped one of those veggie corny dogs in the oven before reading this, so it must be something in the air this time of year (wafting from TX all the way up to the East coast). I can’t wait to try making my own!!

The very first thing I did upon arrival at the State Fair 2 weeks ago was head straight to a Fletcher’s stand. Yum!! The best new item that I tried was the deep-fried truffle. Heaven. These look right up my 5 year old’s alley. Will have to try soon. Really enjoying your blog. I live here and it makes me homesick 🙂 Dawn in Cedar Park.

My 5-year old son has just developed an addiction to corn dogs, and I’ve always been grossed out by them, but yours (Fletchers) look so good I will definitely try them. We just spent the weekend at the coast – went to the Rockport Seafair – it was a blast and the cold Shiner Bock, yummy shrimp on a stick and beautiful surroundings all “Carny’d” up made for a happy me. Your blog is one of my favs – really makes me appreciate living in this proud state.

My husband LOVES corn dogs – but only the ones from Der Weinerschnitzel – which is basically out of business in Texas now. Just as well – he has diabetes and the corn meal isn’t friendly to blood sugar but I do miss seeing him tuck into one of those bad boys with a look of pure satisfaction on his face.

Gorgeous photos as usual… and it seems nearly every time I’m here, I tell you “You know, I’ve never eaten that before,” so odd/funny seeing as we didn’t grow up on different planets, but we might as well have… haha. No I’ve never had a corn dog but yours look delightful (I tried to remedy that by going to Coney Island before they closed, but t’was not to be). I like how yours don’t look over-thick on batter/corn bread around the dog – a lot of times I see them on TV and it seems like 2-3 cornbread pieces wrapped around a hot dog, which would probably make me sick. PS Fried guacamole?! Waffle balls? I must go to this magical fair.

Awesome! My favorite thing to eat at the fair is a corn dog (I’ve never heard of them being called corny dogs), but it’s been several years since I’ve been to a fair. When I was in New York, I did sample a corn dog at Coney Island but it was terrible. They just never taste the same if you’re not at a fair! But it would be a lot of fun to try making them at home sometime.

Nicole–That sounds like a fine, fine weekend! It’s been too long since I’ve had real Gulf shrimp.

Tabby–Hope you like it!

Cheri–That’s what I need to figure out next–how to make funnel cake at home!

Mike–Shame, shame! You need to take a Fair Day!

Yvo–Thanks! I agree, the ratio between corn batter and hot dog should be in balance.

Nicole–The Fletcher family says that corny is a hybrid of “corn” and “carnie.” And I bet you would get a kick out of these–you can also bake them if you don’t want to mess with deep frying, though they’re not quite as good.

My husband always corrects me when I call them “corny dogs.” He says they are “corn dogs.” I first tasted corny dogs as a kid at the State Fair in Texas in the 1960’s. Loved them ever since. Thank you for setting the record straight by calling them “corny dogs.”

Lisa — I’ve been told you can make funnel cake from a yellow cake batter recipe, funnelled into peanut oil at the same temp. you’d fry doughnuts. Just a thought. I’d LOVE to see a funnel cake recipe on Homesick Texan, ’cause I’m not a fan of corny dogs (not even Fletchers, sad to say); but BOY DO I LOVE FUNNEL CAKE!

Corny dogs are definately a tasty treat but when I was kid, I much preferred Cheese Dogs. They were the exact same thing but instead of the wiener, they were filled with cheese! I probably only ever had a few of them, but cheese dogs are one of my favorite memories from childhood and I can’t find them anywhere anymore. Have you ever heard of them and do you know how to make those?

Oh good heavens – the fair! Corny dogs, candy apples, Big Tex, the car show, Fair Day, the midway and lugging a giant stuffed animal around all day. It’s what fall is all about! Fairs are held in the summer here in VA. How wrong is that? I will definitely have to give this recipe a try.

Speaking of experimenting with different fried foods, one of Guy Fieri’s diner dives deep fried a whole cheeseburger, bun and all the fixins and it went over very well, the place put in on the permanent menu. It may have been in Texas, can’t remember.

Did you know US hotdogs are so superior to CDN weiners that many Canadians do weiner runs to neighbouring US border cities/towns ? Me, I shuffle off to Buffalo for my Oscar Mayers or Ball Park Franks. We can’t get them in Toronto.

Well, we’ve already discussed this, but you know I like to comment, too. My fam lives in Big D and I’ve only been to the State Fair once. Yes, yes, I know, it’s not enough, but I’m not a big fan of crowds. Small gatherings, yes. However, always fan of a corn dog.

Strangely enough, corn dogs are very popular in Japan, where they are usually called American Dog.

When I was about 16, my friend and I stopped at a department store on the way home from school (in suburban Tokyo) and bought a huge corn dog each. I smothered mine in ketchup and mustard..then my hand slipped and I dropped the whole thing splat on someone’s arm! Since then, I’ve been too traumatized to eat corn dogs….

This is my first State Fair away from Texas. We moved to London in May and this is when it really hurts. I miss those corny dogs BAD! Thanks for the recipe- now I will just have to picture myself there at the big Fletchers stand hovering around the mustard pump so I can have some on every bite!

I haven’t thought about corn (or corny) dogs in forever but I was obsessed with them as a kid. They really are the perfect bad-for-you treat, and so great for football-party eating when everyone’s all standing around the tube.

If some vendors started selling corn-dogs, it could become a craze. Maybe corn dogs are the new cupcake?

I live in Dallas. Love your blog. Interestingly enough, i don’t eat meat, but I love the state fair of texas and go every year. And every year i consume at least one Fletcher’s Corny Dog. It’s tradition!

Can you believe I had my first taste of cheese curds because a couple from Nekoosa, Wisconsin, brought them all the way to a QFest in Mississippi last year? I’d love to have some cheese curds every week. I’m a native Texan now living in retirement in Lower Alabama, but we still feel like we are on a perpetual vacation.

Many’s the time we attended the Texas State Fair. Not only did we do it in school buses from Cleburne, but many is the time it was a family affair. We will likely try your recipe because neither of us can remember the last time we ate a corny dog and certainly never made them at home from scratch.

First of all, I’ll admit it: I’m not a native Texan. I grew up in St. Louis but I met my husband at TCU right before freshman year began, we married 5 years after we met and I’ve considered myself a Texan since then (2003). Thing is, I had NO idea what a state fair really was until I went to TCU. I think my husband-to-be (Michael) and I went almost every year we were in school. After we got married, we moved to Austin so he could go to UT Law but we still managed to make the drive and come to the Fair once a year. Now we live in Dallas and we buy season passes for the Fair at Kroger (it pays for itself if you go 2 times, plus you get a free AMC movie ticket AND a ticket to Holiday in the Park–that’s when our Six Flags is open during out not-too-cool “winters”). We’re actually going today for the last time this year, as the Fair closes again tomorrow. This year I’ve had the CFB (chicken friend bacon) which made me nauseous when I first heard about it but didn’t taste too bad, fried grilled cheese (delicious!) and a Fletcher’s corny dog smothered in mustard. Today I think I’ll have some or all of the following: friend pickles with spicy ranch dipping sauce (can only be found over by the Cotton Bowl, alllll the way over on the right side, next to the entrance to the CB on the Midway side–look for Ruth’s Tamales and keep heading back), fried s’mores, fried truffles, funnel cake and another ubiquitous corny dog. Don’t worry, I’ll be sharing with my husband. When August rolls around, I go to http://www.bigtex.com to see how many days are left on the countdown! Then my sister-in-law (who also lives in Dallas) and I squeal with delight and get excited that another Fair adventure is right around the corner.

I should also mention that the Fair holds a special place in my heart: it’s where Michael asked my dad for permission to marry me. In the car pavillion. We still tease him about it to this day. He claims it was the only time he had to get my dad alone to ask him. And it was my parent’s first trip to the Fair. How much more of a Fair lover could I be?

I never got to the Texas State Fair, but have been to the fair grounds. The corn dogs were always the highlight of the Iowa State Fair, though. The only way I truly enjoy weiners is as a corn dog! LOL Otherwise they gross me out! I love the batter. Thanks for this recipe. baBlackwater, ON

I wonder what brand of dog Fletcher’s uses? For a regular dog, I would want Nathan’s, but they’re probably too rich for a corny dog. What brand did you use? (They’re all so different that it really is important to reveal that secret,I think)

You always have the best recipes! Here in Austin we have the Moonshine Bar & Grill, where they serve “CORN DOG” shrimp (served with Honey Mustard & Blueberry Swirl). It's just like a corny dog, but with shrimp instead of a weenie. It doesn't sound that appetizing, but I assure you…it is! Do you think it would be the same recipe?

OMG!!! I will def have to try a healthy version for my grandgirls…they LUV corn dogs. Never thought of making my own and the trick with the jar is fenom…On side note, Have been searching for 3 years for a pickle that rivaled the ones in NYC…yours is excellent..little salty, but what the hey…Do you leave them in the brine water after the six days…Just in case there were any left?LOL Mimi43

I feel the need to poast an addendum to my previous commentregarding the fried food tasting from last weekend (the weather was PERFECT, btw!). We actually had: corny dogs (regular for me, jalapeno/cheese for my hubby), fried s’mores (delicious!!), fried pickles and fried waffle balls (which sounds weird but is actually, in essence, a fried chcolate covered strawberry). Oh, and then we had to get the caramel-nut apple wedges. You know, as a break from the fried stuff. 🙂 We shared everything except the corny dogs–somethings you just want all for yourself!

Was there a Fletcher’s Corn Dog store at small-town malls in the 70s/80s? I seem to recall one.

My mom was just telling me about the latest in fried delicacies served at the State Fair. BTW, Introvert must have a cast-iron stomach. It is possible to gild the lily. (Heresy! Have I been away from Texas too long?)

I LOVE corn/corny dogs! I just had one yesterday at a local Home Show (not a fair) after not having one in a very long time. I have wanted a homemade recipe for years. Thank you so much for posting this one. I will definitely try it, and soon.

When I saw your second photo, I wondered why it had never occurred to me before to put the batter into a deeper container–the mason jar is perfect. I also never thought of using chopsticks. This is the reason I “have” to read blogs. Thanks for another great post!

Oh my gosh, I cannot believe you have this recipe! I came to corn dogs late in life (not a big hot dog eater), but I am definitely trying this recipe… maybe for Halloween! BTW, I have not had any luck finding cornbread (cornmeal) in England, but I read in a cookbook recently that polenta can be substituted for it. Um… Why the heck didn’t I think of that? All these months without jalepeno cornbread. Darn!

i made these last night and they were delicious. i was feeling a little guilty about the calories, so i said what the heck and made mac & cheese and potato salad to go along with them. and i ate two! i can always diet next week.

Fletcher's corny dogs…and Jack's French Fries…..it just didn't get any better….Kinda difficult to eat both….because Jacks was served in a cone shaped cup and couldn't sit either down….way back when..sighsss

I know this is an old post, but I'm a Dallasite who has been living in England for the past 15 months, and I've been pining away for a State Fair Fletcher's corny dog most of all! I just found this post, and I have to say, thank you, thank you, thank you! I am now finding that I truly can recreate most any foods I miss in my own kitchen, thanks to you!!!

It is so amazing to have so many Corny Dog fans all over the world. Yes, it is Corny Dog and it is the original one. All products since are called corn dogs. The meat and batter is our own recipe and has not changed in these many years. Papa Neil invented the Corny Dog in 1942 and introduced it at the State Fair of Texas that year and we've been there ever since. We are 10 years older than Big Tex. I have so enjoyed reading these comments. Makes my heart smile. No need to feel guilty. The recipe is a very well balanced meal and we use peanut oil, cholesterol free. Look for our new dessert that we will be introducing at the 2010 Fair. Visit our website which is still under construction because I don't do computers as well as I do Corny Dogs. http://www.fletcherscornydogs.comThanks for eating Corny Dogs, Vickie Fletcher

Hi! I made these the other day, maybe my oil wasn't hot enough? Certainly seemed to be from all the sizzling and splattering. Maybe too hot. And the batter didn't cook roundly so all the corn dogs had one flat side–they looked like browned twinkies on a stick. I tried turning, but with the motion in the oil the batter just peeled off. I did dredge the hotdogs in flour so the batter would stick. Do you have any suggestions. They tasted like corn dogs but I wouldn't make them for guests. I don't think they would be too impressed with my presentation. lol. Thanks for the recipe, though. Tasted great!

Hi Jazmin–I'm sorry you weren't happy with your corn dogs, though I'm not sure what happened. It's good to use a thermometer when frying foods to make sure the oil is the right temperature. If the batter peeled off, I'm thinking it wasn't hot enough. That said, homemade corn dogs can sometimes not be perfect looking.

I know I'm late to this conversation but I just saw it & tried the recipe. Just wanted to let you know it turned out very good!I always wondered how to make these at home. My grandaughter (14) is coming to stay with us for a couple weeks soon & I can't wait to make a batch with her..we are taking her to her first time to the glorious Texas State Fair also! I had a little batter leftover which made great little hush puppies!! 😉

The quality of the fair corny dogs has actually gone down drastically over the past several years. I've had them the last couple years and I honestly think that they are so popular, that they aren't cooking them properly and that they are just wanting to get them out to the crowds.

6 years later, I just have to say that it's so nice to see someone call them corny dogs again. I've been mocked for using that name since I left Richardson as a child! It is the perfect combination– I used to especially love scraping the burnt corny/doggy residue from the middle of the stick with my teeth.

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